Technology Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Software Engineer Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median software engineer salary in Rapid City, SD is $105,570 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 2.4% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$105,570
vs State Avg
+$2,484
vs National
$-18,630
Cost of Living
90%

Software Engineer Pay in Rapid City: What to Expect (2026)

Rapid City offers a median software engineer salary of $105,570, which is $2,484 above the South Dakota state average of $103,086. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Rapid City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rapid City's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Rapid City spans from $63,410 at the 10th percentile to $168,793 at the 90th percentile — a $105,383 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,300, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $157,250. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level software engineer earns around $66,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $157,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,300
$-11,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$106,250
$-18,750 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$157,250
$-27,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $63,410
25th Percentile $83,470
Median (50th) $105,570
75th Percentile $134,470
90th Percentile $168,793

Software Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$108,054
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$100,602
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$98,118
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$95,634
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Software Engineer in Rapid City

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Rapid City and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open software engineer positions in Rapid City, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Software Engineer make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $105,570 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $63,410 (10th percentile) to $168,793 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,570, a software engineer in Rapid City earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Rapid City's median software engineer salary of $105,570 is 2.4% above the South Dakota state average of $103,086. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rapid City, SD? ▼
Rapid City has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $105,570 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Rapid City? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Rapid City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.